High Spirits Hospitality recently honored employees with new a company award platform.The local hospitality group is celebrating its eight year of prosperous business. To mark such a special occasion, High Spirits Hospitality wanted to recognize the hard work of the employees that have helped get the company to where it is today.

Liquid Catering Team Player of the Year: Bethany CarterBravo1 Fast Starter Award: Sarah BorkLiquid Catering Above and Beyond Award: Lindsay DrausBravo1 Above & Beyond Award: Alex Owens and Tyler SwordsTopside Customer Whisperer: Carol LanceTopside Calmer of Storms: Emily HarrisStanding Ovation: Kathy HarrisRookie Bartender of the Year: Letitia ArdSecurity Officer of the Year: Jim PittsBartender of the Year: Kim HayesManager of the Year: Spring Bills​“Hard work should never go unrewarded or unnoticed,” said Tammy Johnson, High Spirit Hospitality’s chief executive officer. “My team is full of talented, hard workers that deserve to be recognized for the strengths that they bring to the table.”

High Spirits Hospitality awards employees for hard work and dedication

​The local hospitality group is celebrating its eight year of prosperous business. To mark such a special occasion, High Spirits Hospitality wanted to recognize the hard work of the employees that have helped get the company to where it is today.

Liquid Catering Team Player of the Year: Bethany CarterBravo1 Fast Starter Award: Sarah BorkLiquid Catering Above and Beyond Award: Lindsay DrausBravo1 Above & Beyond Award: Alex Owens and Tyler SwordsTopside Customer Whisperer: Carol LanceTopside Calmer of Storms: Emily HarrisStanding Ovation: Kathy HarrisRookie Bartender of the Year: Letitia ArdSecurity Officer of the Year: Jim PittsBartender of the Year: Kim HayesManager of the Year: Spring Bills“Hard work should never go unrewarded or unnoticed,” said Tammy Johnson, High Spirit Hospitality’s chief executive officer. “My team is full of talented, hard workers that deserve to be recognized for the strengths that they bring to the table.”

About High Spirits HospitalityHigh Spirits Hospitality proudly oversees the operations of our four-independent hospitality companies – Liquid Catering, The Old Cigar Warehouse, Bravo1 Protection and High Spirits Events. Each has a unique purpose and focus, but all emphasize client satisfaction in all operations. Learn more at www.highspiritshospitality.com.

Two-ferPretty sure everyone got back from their holiday break and decided to work again, because two more spots open on the same day, Feb. 8. In downtown Greenville, River Street Sweets – Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is opening at 12 S. Main St. in the former YAP restaurant space. Get ready for the pralines and fudge. Also opening is a new coffee shop out in Taylors Mill. Junto Coffee is located at 232 Mill St. in a free-standing building in the front part of the property (not in the space Due South Coffee Roasters formerly occupied). Owner Alex Medina, who is very well connected in the local coffee community, has been popping up at various retail and restaurant locations during the build out.Could it get any cuter?Probably, if we were posting baby animal videos. But a Daddy-Daughter dinner at Fork & Plough is pretty adorable. On Feb. 11, the good folks at the Overbrook neighborhood restaurant have planned a special menu for the little ladies and their dates – soups, salads, and finger food entrees, along with chocolate-y desserts. The restaurant is exceptionally family friendly and also serves up great, locally sourced food. It’s an ideal combo. Fork & Plough is located at 1629 E. North St. Reservations aren’t required.Fiesta, foreverThe third annual Tacos & Tequila Fiesta, aka the best way to Sunday Funday, is coming back to downtown Greenville. Produced by High Spirits Events, the all-you-can-eat fiesta will be held April 7 from 3-7 p.m. at The Old Cigar Warehouse, 912 S. Main Street. A thousand-plus people attended last year’s fiesta with more than 25 chefs and bartenders battling it out to craft the best taco and Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila cocktail.Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at tacotequilafiesta.com. VIP tickets, available for advance purchase only, are $60 and include 10 tequila tasting tokens, as well as early admission starting at 3 p.m. General admission tickets start at $45 in advance, or $55 day of, and include eight tequila tasting tokens and 4 p.m. admission. All tickets include unlimited tacos, live entertainment, and games. For every ticket sold, $1 will benefit Greenville Technical College’s Culinary Program.Attendees must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid ID on them to enter the fiesta. Any restaurants or bartenders who want to participate can visit tacotequilafiesta.com.Awards (bragging rights and the coveted Golden Sombrero Award) will be given for best taco, best sidekick (side dish or dessert), and best cocktail using Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila. In addition to the judged taste-off, there will also be a People’s Choice Award and Social Media Star Award for the bartenders and chefs that will be calculated using social media channels.

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate has paired with High Spirits Hospitality to offer guests a unique event experience.

This new partnership, Events at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, is a key move for High Spirits Hospitality allowing the company to take the knowledge gained from putting on events at the Old Cigar Warehouse into a new setting. This also marks a change for The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. The museum’s leadership believes the increase in events will bring more exposure as the nonprofit starts its 10th anniversary celebration.

“We are thrilled to be working with the High Sprits’ team,” said Michelle Shain, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate’s interim president and CEO. “Our museum is such a fun and different place to host events and we are excited to see what this new partnership will bring this year.”

The museum is filled with interactive exhibits and provides plenty of space for intimate weddings or larger events. The staff works with clients one-on-one to guarantee the best experience for every guest’s need and expectations. Each event comes complete with set-up, breakdown, equipment rentals, bar service, as well as event planning and day-of coordination. To book an event, contact 864-501-0933 or sales@eventsattcmu.com.

A special launch party will be held on January 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the venue. Prospective clients, industry professionals, and media are invited for complimentary drinks, hors devours and music from Jumping Jukebox. Peruse more than 20 vendor booths and see what the museum looks like after hours. The party is adults only and tickets, which are free, must be ordered in advance.

“The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is such a staple to the Greenville community,” said Tammy Johnson, High Spirit Hospitality’s chief executive officer. “My team is ready to bring their exceptional customer service and passion for events to this new partnership and watch it flourish.”The museum offers a prime location on the cultural campus of Heritage Green and opportunities to host inside or, on warmer days, outside events. The Children’s Museum of the Upstate guarantees the most unforgettable experience as well as an exciting event space for guests to interact and enjoy themselves.

“We want to make sure everyone that visits The Children’s Museum truly enjoys their experience,” said Chris Fay, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate’s board chairman. “Whether that be at an event or just wanting to check out our exhibits, we always want to make sure our guest’s leave satisfied with their visit.”

About The Children’s Museum of the UpstateThe Children’s Museum of the Upstate opened in 2009 with a mission to “spark a lifelong passion for curiosity and learning through play.” The museum has grown to become the seventh largest children’s museum in the United States, and 10th largest in the world. In 2014, TCMU was named a Smithsonian Affiliate, the first children’s museum to receive the designation. Learn more at www.tcmupstate.org.About High Spirits HospitalityHigh Spirits Hospitality proudly oversees the operations of our four-independent hospitality companies – Liquid Catering, The Old Cigar Warehouse, Bravo1 Protection and High Spirits Events. Each has a unique purpose and focus, but all emphasize client satisfaction in all operations. Learn more at www.highspiritshospitality.com.

]]>Tue, 13 Nov 2018 23:14:45 GMThttp://www.highspiritshospitality.com/meadiaandpress/bravo1-protection-featured-in-huffington-post-articleTammy was interviewed by Huffington Post for a recent article. Check out point #10 to see her response.

Bravo1 Protection has earned a Small and Minority-Owned Business Certification from the State of South Carolina for being 100 percent women-owned.

The company was created in 2014 when CEO, Tammy Johnson, was having a hard time finding suitable security services for event venues around the Upstate. Recognizing that security professionals are typically the first impressions guests will have of a business, Johnson decided it was time to start her own security service.

Bravo1 provides numerous services including executive protection, event security, private security, crisis drills as well as security for visitations. Bravo1’s SLED-certified officers have provided security for large events such as Fall for Greenville, Euphoria and Artisphere as well as numerous private and personal projects.

“Having formed a hospitality group, I knew I was going to need top notch security professionals for my client’s events,” said Tammy Johnson, CEO of Bravo1 Protection. “Our goal is to provide amazing service with integrity.”

Small and Minority-Owned Business Certification is awarded by the S.C. Division of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification, which connects minority- and women-owned small businesses to State contracting and procurement opportunities through the Material Management Office, while working with State agencies to implement and monitor minority-contracting programs in accordance with applicable policies, laws, and regulation.​“This certification means so much me as a female business owner as well as to Bravo1 Protection,” said Johnson. “To have a company such as a security service, which is typically a male-dominated field, owned by a women shows that women are trailblazers and can do anything.”

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Local private security company, Bravo1 Protection, will be offering a special hospitality area for law enforcement officers at this year’s Fall for Greenville Festival.

Beginning Friday, October 12, law enforcement officers, fire fighters and EMS staff working the Upstate’s largest festival are invited to free meals and refreshments at LOCATION and TIMES. This is open open to first responders only throughout the three-day event.

“Fall for Greenville is one of the biggest events of the year and first responders are working overtime to make maintain a safe yet fun environment,” said Tammy Johnson, Bravo1 Protection’s owner. “With the busy weekend, many of them may not have time to get in a good meal, so we wanted to thank them for their hard work in the form of good food.”

Along with providing meals to first responders, Bravo1 Protection will also be providing event staff and overnight security for the Fall for Greenville festival this weekend.

About Bravo1 ProtectionBravo1 Protection specializes in providing hospitality-driven, exceptional security services for bars, venues, festivals and businesses. Their experienced officers are trained not just to protect you and your guests, but to do so while providing excellent customer service. Learn more at www.bravo1protection.com.​

Hillary is originally from Fredrick, Maryland. She attended the University of Maryland in College Park and graduated in 2014 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.

After college Hillary began teaching preschool. However, she found her passion for wedding planning, after she helped plan her sister's wedding. This passion drove her to pursue a career in the event industry. For the past 3 years she has lived in Asheville, NC where she was employed as a wedding planner. During her time in Asheville, Hillary helped plan over 75 weddings!!

“I helped my sister plan her wedding and I absolutely fell in love with it. I began planning weddings on the side, while teaching preschool, to pursue my interest. Eventually I fell in love with the art of wedding planning and began planning weddings full time."

Hillary with her sister, on her sister's big day!

​Hillary’s absolute favorite part of wedding planning is making somebody’s ideas come to life for their big day. The "day of" is another favorite of Hillary's, because you get to witness how happy these couples are as they take the next step in their relationship.

​“It doesn’t matter whether I know the couple or not, I tear up every time I see a couple walk down the aisle.”

​Not only was Hillary a preschool teacher and a wedding planner, but also a world traveler. She lived in Europe and traveled for over a year. While settled in Munich, Germany for a year teaching English, Hillary traveled to 17 different countries! (You read that right, 17!!) At least one week of every month Hillary would take time to travel to a different country.

​Hillary has been Skydiving in Switzerland and glacier climbing in Iceland. These are just two of the amazing adventures she went on while living in Europe.

​While in Munich, she also volunteered with refugees through Dykonia. She helped these refugees find a sense of belonging within the community, and supplied them with daily essentials, such as clothing, food, and housing.

​Hillary has now moved to Greenville, SC, and says it is a refreshing change from Asheville.

​“I love the small city feel of Greenville and I also love being in the South.”

Hillary and her boyfriend, downtown Greenville.

Hillary is excited about this new opportunity with High Spirits Hospitality. She will be working as the wedding director at the Old Cigar Warehouse. As the wedding director she will coordinate the day of, make sure everyone is happy, (especially the bridal party) and ensure things go smoothly. Any “hiccups” that may occur are kept well hidden by Hillary.

If you have any further questions for Hillary please contact her via email, at hillary@highspiritshospitality.com.

Katie is originally from Fountain Inn, South Carolina. She graduated from Clemson University in 2014 with a degree in Accounting. After graduating, she moved to Haiti to work with a non-profit that focuses on economic development and a sustainable future.​

​She has planned multiple service trips in America and abroad for Clemson, along with hosting teams in Haiti.

"I spent time in a medical clinic running the pharmacy, helping with a cooperative that created a business with three Haitian families, and teaching English at a school. For 8 of those months I lived in an apartment with no running water! We had to pump our water from a well downstairs and carry it up to our apartment, every day. I went to the big open market to grocery shop. There was only one grocery store with only 4 tiny aisles and not that much food, so all of your food was bought in the middle of town at the market. My main mode of transportation was Haiti’s version of a taxi, which is called a “moto” and was just guys and their motorcycles. They would take you wherever you needed to go. I also met my husband in Haiti! He was actually the director of the economic development program and moved there 6 months before me from Missouri. Our first date was to the only restaurant in town that we called Orange Restaurant because it was easier to say than its actual name!"

Katie actually just got MARRIED herself in July, so she is a great resource for what wedding planning is all about! Bonus, she loves all things quesadillas and queso. ​Listening to Podcasts daily is her jam!

"I really love that The Old Cigar Warehouse is just a naturally beautiful venue in the center of downtown. I love that our day-to-day is interacting with our clients and working to ensure their event goes perfectly!"

Sarah is originally from Annapolis, Maryland. She attended The University of South Carolina and graduated in 2017 with a degree in Hospitality Management.

​While in school, she played clarinet in USC's Mighty Sound of the South East Marching Band. The band traveled all over America and performed at various Bowl Games.

​"I first fell in love with events during a “Wedding Planning” class at USC, and I immediately changed my major from Business to Hospitality Management. I have experience with events all over the South East including the Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head SC, The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia SC, Clemson University in Clemson SC, The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta GA, and Eclectic Alabama as a Wedding Coordinator."

Sarah at the Master's Tournament in Augusta, GA.

​Sarah is a huge animal enthusiast, she currently has two cats and a puppy. She loves to bake, make crafts, and sew/knit during her free time. She also loves going to the many events Greenville has to offer. You can find her at Noma Square on Friday nights during the summer listening to Live Music, and at the Main Street Market on Saturday mornings.

​Hidden Passion? Sarah grew up playing ice hockey and still plays an Alumni game once a year.

​Sarah's go-to drink is a big glass of Red Wine! However, on a hot day you can find her sipping on a refreshing Tom Collins, preferably with Hendrick's Gin.

Sarah and her boyfriend Brandon.

"Working for Liquid Catering is fun and exciting. I have the pleasure of working with so many incredible clients whether it be a bride and groom, a local company, or even a family farm. There is something really special about providing such an enormous impact to someone’s most memorable day, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity."​